'Quick and Dirty' Boat Build Competition Seeking Teams

Do you have the skills to build a boat? In four hours, no less?

That's the challenge that lies ahead the weekend of Aug. 17 and 18, as Bayles Boat Shop is hosting its third annual Quick and Dirty Boat Build Competition. Held at Harborfront Park, the competition challenges builders to construct a boat – then decorate it, then race it – using a limited amount of supplies.

The competitions are held all around the world, said Charlie Carter, ex-president of the Long Island Seaport and Eco Center, which oversees Bayles Boat Shop. Sikeflex, a manufacturer of a fast-acting adhesive, hosts the races, and each two-person team is given three sheets of plywood, Sikeflex, some zip-ties to temporarily hold the boats together, and has access to a jigsaw and drill to cut the wood and tie it together while the adhesive dries.

Teams have four hours on Saturday to build a boat, and on Sunday, they get to decorate them for races that kick off at 2 p.m. Carter said that openings for 12 teams in total are available, with a handful of spots still left. Last year's race saw 11 teams compete, with the inaugural competition drawing eight.

A raffle will be held ($5 tickets, or $20 for five) for a 17' kayak, with proceeds going to benefit LISEC, Carter said, covering the nonprofit's biggest expense each year: insurance.

Cost to enter the contest is $100, and Carter said he is sponsoring a couple of teams himself. "If people are interested, we'll find one way or another to get them in," he said.

Individuals interested in participating in the competition can contact Hank Schmidt at 631- 982-4138 or e-mail www.LISEC750@yahoo.com.